Darien aldermen have decided to increase funding for a popular program designed to help alleviate flooding in residential back yards.
The Residential Rear Yard Drainage Assistance Program, which was started by the city about 10 years ago, allows residents to share some costs with the city to resolve nuisance ponding and other drainage issues.
In most cases, a new sewer is installed in back yards, which drains the standing water and assists drainage issues for nearby properties. Residents are required to commit the first $1,000 and the city will contribute up to $5,000.
Dan Gombac, community development director, said five to seven projects are completed per year. This year, staff has received 11 requests from residents.
Aldermen unanimously agreed at last week’s meeting to increase funding for the program by $20,000 to a total of $46,000.
Gombac said he thinks recent storms have influenced more residents to seek help.
“There have been rain and snow events, more than usual, and some residents still want to enjoy their back yards,” Gombac said, referring to both the applicants and their neighbors.
“Without the drainage program, residents would take measures into their own hands, and it could have a negative impact on upstream and downstream residents,” Gombac said. “We make sure the job is done right and will help deter flooding on neighboring properties, too.”
In some cases, neighbors share costs, he said.
Mayor Kathleen Weaver said she supports the program and the increase in funding. “The program has become very popular,” Weaver said. “More residents always seem to want to participate in it.”
The city also voted to pay Austin Tyler Construction Inc. $159,000 for the repair of the Kentwood Court Bridge, located in a subdivision in the 8700 block of Kentwood Avenue. Documents indicate deficiencies — vertical and horizontal cracks — have been found with the structure. A creek runs below the bridge.
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Gombac said the bridge and a portion of the road will be shut down for seven weeks beginning this week. Detour signs will provide alternate routes.